Gravity-based weld travel speed sensing system and method

Abstract

A welding system includes an orientation sensing system associated with a welding torch and is configured to sense a welding torch orientation relative to a direction of gravity. The welding system also includes a processing system communicatively couple to the orientation sensing system and configured to determine an angular position of the welding torch relative to a pipe based at least in part on the sense welding torch orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The invention relates generally to welding systems, and, more particularly, to sensing systems for monitoring a travel speed of a welding torch during a welding operation.[0002]Welding is a process that has become ubiquitous in various industries for a variety of types of applications. For example, welding is often performed in applications such as shipbuilding, aircraft repair, construction, and so forth. While these welding operations may be automated in certain contexts, there still exists a need for manual welding operations. In some manual welding operations, it may be desirable to monitor weld parameters, such as the travel speed of the welding torch in three-dimensional space, throughout the welding operation. While the travel speed of an automated torch may be robotically controlled, the travel speed of the welding torch in manual operations may depend on the operator's welding technique, the weld pattern and position, the experience of the welding operator, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]In another embodiment, a method includes sensing an initial orientation of a welding torch at an initial location of a pipe using one or more orientation sensors. The method also includes sensing an angular orientation of the welding torch at an angular location of the pipe using the one or more orientation sensors. The method further includes determining an angular change in orientation between the initial orientation and the angular orientation. Furthermore, the method includes deriving a travel distance of the welding torch from the initial location to the angular location based on the angular change and a radius of the pipe at a weld joint

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to measure this weld motion during a welding operation due to features of the welding environment, operator considerations, and so forth.

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